The epitome of what it means to be a “Pink”. We’ll miss you, Claire@ebay.com…

Back in October, National Public Radio did an interview with Paul Dickson about his book, Slang: The Topical Dictionary of Americanisms.   In yet another nod to the cultural impact eBay has had on the world, this book’s newest edition contains several terms born out of the eBay Community lexicon.  We can all feel proud about the “eBaysian” terms included (including the word “eBaysian” itself.)  According to the author, other terms that made the cut include “reflecto-porn” (anyone remember the teapot guy who liked to create listings for his reflective metal teapot which he just happened to photograph while nude?)…..and, my favorite entry, “Pink.”

It was quite an occasion for us eBay Pinks.  Back in the old days (circa 2000 or so), we always thought the pinnacle of recognition would be a mention on The Tonight show.  After the NPR spot, though, we agreed around the virtual water cooler that getting declared an “Americanism” wasn’t a bad second choice honor.  But Dickson had one part wrong.  He acknowledged that eBay staffs’ posts turn up with pink headers, but then loosely suggested that “Pink” refers back to the famous detective, Pinkerton.  Well, it makes a nice story, but it isn’t based in any actual fact.  So let’s correct the history!

Jackie@ebay.com (a familiar Pink to you old-timers) says that Louise@ebay.com (now we’re reaching back into annals of eBay history … Louise, who is really Patti Ruby, a founding pink who now writes about eBay and teaches at eBay University) said that Skippy@ebay.com, the guy responsible for the lines of code that created said Pink-ness, told her a long time ago (are you keeping this all straight?) that there was no significance in the color choice.  As Jackie/Louise put it, “it was just the color Skippy picked.”

And there you have it. Those of us who love looking for the symbolism can consider our bubbles burst.   

If you happen to be one of the few who remember Louise and Skippy (the latter was one of eBay’s earliest programmer/architects who would regale members and staff alike with his critter-esque board persona and annual Halloween stories which he would share on the boards in installments) --  then you own a piece of Memory Lane with us, too.  And that also means you must know our dear Claire@ebay.com, who, as a founding member of the Pinks, helped define what it means to “be a Pink.”

Farewell, Claire! We'll miss you...
It’s with mixed emotion that we share the news that Claire is moving on after almost 9 years with eBay.  Nine years is practically a lifetime in the corporate world, so it’s happy news for her that she’ll be starting a brand new chapter of her life.  But we will all miss her, and I know many members will, too.  It’s really amazing how many lives she’s touched in some way -- whether on the boards, in email, or at the four out of five eBay Live! events during which she’s helped play hostess in the Pinks Lounge. 

Claire – through her actions, her words (which were always delivered with a delightful Oklahoma drawl), and her steadfast determination to speak up on behalf of those who couldn’t be there to do it for themselves -- helped define what it means to “be a Pink.” 

I’m sure this all probably sounds terribly corny to some, but “being Pink” has always been about more than a color on a post.  It's been like a badge of honor.  It’s about taking the high road during disputes – about going the extra mile to help someone – about practicing diplomacy with a smile – about being present for folks especially when there are problems and when most of what people have to say is hard to listen to.  It's been about modeling the Community Values, because we really truly believe in 'em. 

In the old days, "being a Pink" was most often illustrated on the boards, but since the Community has grown so large and diverse, it is more often an influence behind the scenes now.  Of course, the company is full of talented, inspired people, and lots of eBay staff have an “inner Pink”.  But we community development folk like to think we helped instill some of the company culture that knows it's always better to approach things with a balance of good business sense and good community sense… and still do.

Yep, Claire helped define what it means to be Pink, and she trained a whole little family of us.  She hired me into the fold back in 2000, and I doubt I would be here today if she hadn’t.  Many of us in Community Development can probably say that.  (She likes to say that managing us was like “herding cats” but she meant it in an affectionate way, I’m sure!) 

I owe her a great deal of thanks for the wisdom I gained from her, and I’m sure I speak for my co-workers when I say I’m going to really miss you.   

So -- *raising champagne glass* -- here’s to Claire – Happy New Year, and may the next Chapter offer as much opportunity to make a meaningful contribution as this one has. (And…. may it provide just as many side-splitting giggles along the way…..)

Read/post to Claire’s goodbye thread